Method and apparatus for assembling boxes



Jan. 7, 1941. H. A. CARRUTH METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING- BOXESFiled July 15, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 WWW. g ifhwwrr N I WWW @221 ATTO RN EY Jan. 7, 1941. H. A. CARRUTH METHOD'AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLINGBOXES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 15, 1959 2 m N ww r $2. mm Eri l [1.I.m m& w a nm I {III man m E We T w n w T mm! MA m G E a ww //1\ Jan. 7,1941. H. A. CARRUTH METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BOXES 4Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 15, 1959 INVENTOR @1010 AZ (I'brra/Zz wwflzlaa ATTORNEY Jan. 7, 1941. H. A. CARRUTH METHQD AND APPARATUS FORASSEMBLING BOXES I Filed July 15. 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 -15 E INVENTORATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND APPARATUSFOR ASSEMBLING BOXES Application July 15, 1939, Serial No. 284,643

17 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for assembling boxesand more particularly to an improved method and apparatus for folding,gluing and assembling paperboard boxes of the collapsible type wherebysuch boxes may be manufactured and assembled automatically at a highproduction rate at a relatively low cost.

In accordance with this invention, an improved method of assemblingboxes of the collapsible type is provided comprising a series ofassembling steps which can be automatically performed in rapidsuccession so as to produce a. highly serviceable box adapted to beshipped to the user in collapsed form and thereafter erected by the useras needed.

My improved method and apparatus is particularly adapted to theassembling of a highly serviceable merchandising box or carton which maybe made from a single blank of paperboard material so cut and scoredthat two collapsible boxes may be formed therefrom simultaneously, andwith the speed of production heretofore required in assembling a singlecollapsed box. The collapsed boxes assembled in accordance with thisinvention can be shipped and stored in flat, completely collapsedcondition so that large numbers of collapsed boxes may be contained in alimited space and when thus collapsed are not subjected to damage andbreakage during shipment and storage. These collapsed boxes can bequickly erected and expanded from collapsed form tomerchandise-containing, expanded position quickly and expeditiously bythe user as needed, the box having means associated therewith tomaintain the bottom and the side Wall panels in rigid, fiat wall-formingposition, and which has rigidity, strength, stiffness and serviceabilitywhen the merchandise is packed therein fully comparable to the set-upbox.

Two boxes are assembled from a flat box-forming blank having the twobox-forming sections thereof connected together by a line of perforationwhich may be easily severed by the user after each section has beenassembled into a collapsed box. The method comprehends a foldingoperation in which the blank is folded along two blank as the blankcontinuously progresses thereunder. The end wall sections are thenfolded over into adhesive contact with end wall-securing flaps whichfolding operation may be accomplished by turning-in devices provided onthe assembly machine. The assembled blank is ejected from the machinepresenting two fully assembled collapsed boxes connected only by aseverable line of perforation. Two collapsed boxes can thus: beassembled from a single blank, requiring only three operations, all ofwhich can be performed automatically as the blank progressescontinuously through the machine. The machine is relatively simple inconstruction, substantially fool-proof in operation, requires littlepersonal supervision when once placed in operation, and the successiveassembly steps may be performed in synchronized relationship in rapidsuccession. The prepared box blanks are fed into the apparatus adjacentone end thereof and the finished collapsed boxes are ejected at theother end thereof, completely and fully assembled in collapsed formready for shipment to the user.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved method ofassembling paperboard boxes which permits of high speed, economicalproduction.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method ofassembling collapsible boxes from a prepared body blank wherein aplurality of boxes may be simultaneously formed and assembled in aseries of steps which can be economically and speedily performed byautomatic machinery. 35

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus forassembling two collapsible boxes at a time.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatusadapted to feed, fold, glue and assemble a prepared relatively stiffbody blank at a production rate substantially greater than heretoforeobtainable.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following particular description and from an inspection. of theaccompanying drawings.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appendedhereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and themanner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood byreferring to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the box-assembling apparatus whichassembles the box blank to form two complete collapsed boxessimultaneously during a single passage of the blank through theapparatus, the severably connected collapsed boxes being ejected fromthe machine ready for shipment to the user;

Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view through the apparatus, thisview being taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectiona1 view through the apparatus,this view being taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is another longitudinal cross-sectional view through theapparatus, this view being taken along line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the prepared blank shown. positioned onthe blank advancing conveyor at the receiving end of the box-assemblingapparatus;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the blank as it appears when moving intocontact with turning-in devices of the apparatus, a turning-in devicebeing shown in the process of folding one wing portion of the blank overa body portion thereof;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the blank at a further stage in theassembling operation in which a turning-in device operates to fold theopposite wing portion of the blank over the body portion and the wingportion first infolded;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the blank as it appears on the conveyorafter the wing portions of the blank have been infolded;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the blank moving into contact withglue-applying devices which apply a strip of glue to the endwall-forming sections of the blank;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the blank moving into contact withfurther folding devices which fold the end wall sections into adhesivecontact with the end wall-securing flaps;

Fig 11 is a perspective view of the fully assembled blank which providestwo completely assembled, collapsed boxes connected together by aseverable line of perforations ready for packaging and shipment to theuser;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a pair of complementary box structuresas they appear in collapsed position in the process of being separated;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of one of the assembled boxes in theprocess of erection;

Fig. 14 is an exterior fragmentary perspective view of the box inprocess of erection, this View showing the bottom flap partiallycollapsed and undergoing insertion into the box to overlie the insideface of the adjacent end wall panel;

Fig. 15 is an interior fragmentary perspective View of the partlyerected box shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a further fragmentary perspective view of the fully erectedbox as it appears when looking into the interior thereof; and

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the fully assembled erected box as itappearswhen merchandise has been positioned therein and the box set upfor display purposes, this view further showing in dotted lines theposition of the cover section when placed in closed position.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings and the specification.

In the manufacture of collapsible boxes by the method and apparatuscomprising this invention,

body-forming blanks which may be of the general type illustrated in Fig.5 are first prepared. The body-forming blanks may be formed ofrelatively strong paperboard of the necessary strength and stiffness toproperly support and retain the merchandise in the box. In order thatthe method and apparatus for forming collapsible boxes comprising thisinvention may be better understood, the general construction of theblank and the box formed therefrom will be first described.

Blank and boa: formed therefrom Referring more particularly to Figs. 5to 11 inclusive, each blank may be cut from a large sheet or roll of theselected paperboard material, the cutting of the blanks from the sheetor roll into proper shape and the scoring thereof being advantageouslyperformed by an automatic cutting and scoring machine. As shown in Fig.1, each blank comprises two half portions (1 and a severably joinedtogether by a perforated tear line 2!, both half portions of which maybe manipulated in unison to form two fully assembled collapsed boxesconnected together only along the severable tear line 2!. Since the halfportion a is a substantial duplicate of the half portion a, it will onlybe necessary to describe the construction of the half portion a indetail.

A side wall panel 4 is hinged to bottom panel 2 along the fold line H,and side wall panel 3 is hinged to bottom panel 2 along the oppositefold line l2. A cover panel 4 may be provided which is hinged along foldline It to the top-forming edge of the side wall panel 3. An end wallpanel 5 is hinged to each end of the side wall panel I along a fold linel5 and an end wall securing tab '7 is also hinged to each end of theside wall panel 3 along the fold line l5. A bottom-forming flap 6 ishinged to each end of the bottom panel l along the fold line l5.

In order that the box may be made collapsible, a fold line l6 extendslongitudinally through the bottom panel I and bottom flaps 8, the foldline it extending generally parallel to and spaced substantially midwaybetween the fold lines H and I2. Each bottom flap 6 is preferablyprovided with an arcuate shaped exterior edge 26 to facilitate insertionthereof into the box interior when the box is erected, as will be morefully explained hereinafter. Each bottom flap 6 is divided into foursubstantially equal sections 6a, 6b, 6c and Ed, which are definedbetween the adjacent fold lines [5 and i6 and the radiating fold linesll and 13 which radiate from the point of intersection of the fold lines15 and Iii. Thus each of the bottom flaps 6 may be partially collapsedto further facilitate insertion thereof into the interior of the box, aswill be more fully described hereinafter.

Each end wall panel 5 is divided into two end sections 50!. and 5b by afold line i 9 extending generally parallel to and equally spaced betweenthe adjacent fold line l5 and the outer free edge of the end wall panel.Each end wall panel 5 has hinged thereto along the fold line 20 a topwall turn-in flap 9. The fold line If! extends across the top wallturn-in flap 9 so as to divide the same into top wall turn-in sections9a and 92).

Cover panel 4 may be provided with a tuck-in flap 8 hinged thereto alongthe fold line I4 and may be further divided into two foldable sections4a and 41) by the aligned fold lines 22 spaced intermediate andextending generally parallel to fold lines l3 and I4. Thus, the coversection 4 may be used as a display easel when the box is set up on thecounter or the merchants shelf. In order to attract attention to the boxand its contents, a projecting advertising tab 23 may be provided whichis formed by providing a out line 24 of the desired configuration whichextends into cover section 4a and which joins the ends of the inwardlyextending fold lines 22. It will be appreciated, however, that theclosure panel 4 may be completely eliminated or if desired, another typeof convenient closure panel may be provided.

The various panels, sections, tabs and flaps above described inconnection with half portion a are duplicated in half portion a, and theequivalent parts shown in half portion a have been given the samedesignating numerals except that each numeral has been primed to avoidconfusion. It will be particularly noted that the two half portions 0.and a of the blank have their top wall turn-in flaps 9 and e severablyconnected together by a tear or perforated line 2| which permitssimultaneous gluing and assembly of both boxes at the same time and atthe same speed with which one box could be assembled, thus eifectingsubstantial economies in assembly cost. It will be further noted thatthe end walls 5 and 5' extend at each side edge of the blank beyond thebottom flap 6 and securing tab 1, which permits the blank to be fed intoautomatic strip gluing devices associated with the assembly apparatuswhereby the strips of adhesive g may be applied to the end sections 5?)and 511' at both ends of the blank simultaneously at at a highproduction rate. In order that the inturned top wall sections 9?; andlib receive no adhesive, a pair of notched glue-applying rollers may beused, synchronized with the advancing movement of the blank so that theperipheral surfaces of the glue rollers will fully contact and applyadhesive in strip form to the inside face of the end sections 5b and 52)only and will not apply adhesive to the top: wall turn-in sections 919and 910.

It will be further noted that the cover panels 4 and 4' may becompletely eliminated so as to provide two duplicate open top boxstructures. If desired, one of the box structures a can be used as themerchandise container and the other structure a, can be used as atelescoping cover for the merchandise container by displacing the foldlines It slightly out of alignment with the fold line [5 a distanceapproximately corresponding to the thickness of the paperboard. In thisevent the end. wall sections 5 will be made longer in length than theend wall sections 5 by approximately two thicknesses of paperboard, foldlines it being correspondingly slightly oifset with respect to the foldlines l9. Likewise, fold lines I I and I2 will be spaced apartapproximately the thickness of two layers of paperboard greater than thedistance between the fold lines I! and I2. The thus slightly disalignedfold lines can be pressed into the blank by suitable adjustment ofthecreasing elements and cutting knives on the automatic cutting andscoring machine. Likewise, the gluerollers of the automatic strip gluingdevices may have arcuate peripheral sections thereof slightly displacedso as to apply the adhesive g to the end sections 511' a greaterdistance from the centre of the blank than adhesive g applied to the endsections 5b. It will thus be appreciated that an integral blank can beformed having two joined but separable half portions, one to form thecontainer structure of the box and the other to form a telescoping coverstructure, both being presented in an integral assembly.

Method of assembly After the blank has been fully prepared as shown inFig. 5 and above described, the blank is assembled into two joined butseverable collapsed boxes by folding the wing portions of the blankalong the fold line It so that bottom section 2b will overlie bottomsection 2a, side wall panel 3 will overlie side wall panel I, and coverpanel t will overlie side wall panel I, as shown in Fig. 6. The otherwing portion of the blank is then folded along the fold line It so thatbottom section 2b will overlie bottom section 2a and the extendedtuck-in tab 8, side Wall panel 3 will overlie cover panel 4, and coverpanel 4 will overlie cover panel 4 and side wall section 3, as fullyillustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. As thus arranged, each end wall securingtab 1 at each end of the blank will overlie and align with the adjacentend wall section 5a, and each end wall securing tab 1' will overlie andalign with the adjacent end wall section 5a. plied in strip form to theinside face of side wall sections 512 and lib as illustrated in Fig. 9.Each of the end Wall sections 5b and 5b is then folded inwardly asillustrated in Fig. 10 so that the inside face thereof, to whichadhesive 9 has been applied, will be brought into contact with theexterior face of the corresponding end wall securing tab l or if.

It will thus be noted that two fully assembled collapsed boxes are fullyformed and as-; sembled by a single pass through the automatic gluingand folding machine by three relatively simple operations, namely,folding the wing sections of the blank in superimposed relationshipalong the fold lines 16 and I6, applying the glue in strip form to theend Wall sections 5b and 5b, and finally, folding and pressing the endwall sections 52) and 52) into adhesive contact with the alignedsecuring tabs 1 and l.

The connected but severable pairs of fully assembled collapsed boxes, asshown in Fig. 11, may be stacked in superimposed relationship so as tooccupy a minimum of space during shipment and storage. When the boxesare to be packed with merchandise, a connected pair of boxes may beremoved from the stack and separated by pulling the two boxes. apartalong the tear lines til, as shown in Fig. 12. The tear lines 2| may besuch as to permit easy and positive separation by grasping bottomsections 2a. and 2b with one hand and bottom sections 2a" and 2b withthe other hand and pulling the collapsed boxes apart. Cover panel 4easily withdraws from its housed position beneath the side wall panel3'.

Each box may be expanded into merchandisecontaining position by pinchingbottom flap sectors 6b and 60 together at each end of the box, as shownmore particularly in Fig. 14, which operation is permitted by reason ofthe fold lines ill and lil. When the bottom flap sectors 9b and havebeen thus pinched together, as by grasping the same with the fingers,pinching tool or other mechanism, each bottom flap 6 may be swunginwardly under the adjacent free edge 25 of the end wall panel, thearcuate edge 26 of each bottom flap being so shaped as to permit thisoperation. When each bottom flap 8 has been inserted into the box asshown in Fig. 15, the paired sectors 62) and 6c are- Adhesive is ap-.tainer for numerous. products.

released and the end panel sections 5a and 5b are brought intoalignment, thus forcing each bottom flap 6 to fan outwardly so as to liesubstantially fiat against the inside face of the adjacent end wallpanel 5, as illustrated more particularly in Fig. 16.

Merchandise M is then placed within the expanded box, the merchandisebeing preferably so positioned and arranged as to occupy the fullinterior cubical area of the box. After packaging each top wall flap 9is turned inwardly so as to extend generally perpendicular to itsassociated end wall panel 5, the cover panel 4 is then folded over thetop of the packed box and the tuck-in flap 8 is inserted into the box soas to lie against the inside face of the side wall panel I, asillustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 17. A suitable sealing strip may beprovided, if desired, to seal the box and thus prevent unauthorizedremoval of the contents.

The box as thus assembled and packed provides a rigid, strong and highlyserviceable con- When the merchandise is packed in the expanded box andthe top wall flaps 9 folded inwardly, it will be noted that the inwardlyturned top wall flaps 9 act as stiffening struts to prevent eitherinward or outward collapse of end wall sections 5a and 62), thus holdingthe hingedly connected end panel sections 50. and 5b in rigid andpositive straight wall alignment. The hingedly connected end panelsections 5a and 5b are further held in rigid straight wall alignment byreason of the pressure of the merchandise against the inside faces ofthe side wall panels. I and 3, and, finally, the cover panel 4, with thetuck-in flap 8 abutting the side wall I, also acts as a shapemaintainingend panel strut. It will be further appreciated that when the hingedlyconnected end wall sections 5a and 5b are rigidly held and maintained instraight wall alignment by reason of the three forces above indicated,the fanshaped bottom fiaps 6 are also maintained in fully expanded formand in close abutting relationship with the inside face of the adjacentend wall panels 5 and, additionally, the bottom panel sections 2a and 2bare also maintained in straight wall alignment.

If desired, the cover panel 4 may be so formed as to provide anattractive display easel. When the box is opened to display themerchandise, the tuck-in flap 8 may be inserted between the free end ofeach infolded top flap section 9b and the inside face of side wall panel3, as illustrated in Fig. 17, thus holding the cover sections 4a and 4bin erect overlying relationship with the easel tab 23 extendingupwardly. It will be appreciated, however, that this cover panelconstruction may be of simple form without the display easel feature or,as above indicated, the cover panel may be completely eliminated. Thecover panel above described has been illustrated in the drawings toindicate the ease with which a more complicated box structure may bemade, formed and assembled.

Assembly apparatus There is shown in Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive, theapparatus whereby the various steps of assembling the blanks intocollapsed boxes may be performed. It is understood, however, that theapparatus shown in the drawings is presented for purposes ofillustration only and that other types of apparatus may be employed tocarry out the novel assembly steps of this invention.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 to 4 thereof, theapparatus may comprise suitable tables supporting the assembly apparatuscomprising a series of operative mechanism each designed to performdefined operations upon the blank, which may be generally referred to asmechanism 2'! for folding the wing portions of the blank over the bodyportion, mechanism 28 for applying strips of adhesive to the end panelsections of the blank, and mechanism 29 for folding and pressing the endpanel sections into adhesive contact with the end panel securing flaps.For convenience in description, each of the mechanisms above referred towill be separately described and discussed.

Wing folding mechanism Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3of the drawings, the mechanism for folding the wing portions of theblank inwardly in superimposed relationship comprises a mechanismsupporting structure or table comprising parallel extending framemembers 30, laterally extending frame members 3|, and parallel extendingframe members 32 which are spaced a greater distance apart than theframe members 30. A table top is preferably provided comprising tableportion 33 which extends between the frame members 3i] and table portion34 which extends between the frame members 32, table portion 3d beingprovided with blank guide flanges 3 5' along the side edges thereof. Theframe members and table top which support the operating mechanism may besuitably supported upon legs 31 which rest upon the floor, the legs 31being of convenient height to permit easy feeding, inspection and repairof the machine.

The table top portions 33 and 3 3 may be provided with a pair of spacedparallel extending grooves or channels 35, each of which receives andsupports the upper flight of a blank advancing belt or chain 38. Theforward end of each of thegrooves 35 may be cut away as at 35 to provideroom for the conveyor chain supporting sprocket 5!, which will bepresently described. The blank discharging end of the grooves orchannels 35 may be also cut away as at 35 to provide room for the chainsupporting sprockets 55, presently to be described.

The blanks are supplied to the receiving end of table top portion 34 bymeans of a suitable chute Ml in which the blanks are positioned, asshown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 3. The chute may comprise aninclined bottom wall portion ll having side flanges 42 for guiding theblanks in their downward sliding movement. The discharge end 63 of thechute 49 is positioned closely adjacent to the receiving end of thetable top portion 34 and is so shaped as to permit each separate blankto slide smoothly onto the table top portion. The chute 40 may besupported by means of a suitable bracket 44 fixed to the end framemember 35 and to the bottom wall M of the chute.

Means are provided for individually removing the blanks ad from theirstacked position within the chute lll onto the table portion 34 and intoengagement with the advancing conveyor belts or chains 38. A feed roller45, preferably formed of soft rubber or like soft resilient material, ispositioned adjacent the discharge end 43 of the chute and closelyadjacent the receiving end of the table portion 34. The roller 45extends transversely of the table portion 34 and is approximately thefull width thereof. The roller 45 may be fixed to a suitable shaft 46rotatably mounted in suitable bearings provided on a supporting bracket41 fixed to chute-supporting bracket 44. The projecting end of the shaft45 may be provided with a suitable drive pulley 48 fixed thereto, whichis driven by suitable belting 49 connected to a suitable power sourcesuch as an electric motor. The blank feeding roller 45 is operative towithdraw the top blanks aa positioned within the chute 4G and to move itinto feeding position upon the table portion 34. It will be appreciatedthat the width of the table portion 34 is substantially equal to orgreater than the longitudinal length of the blanks to be operated upon.

Each blank advancing chain 38, the upper flight of which moves in one ofthe channel grooves 35, is supported upon a pair of sprockets, sprocket5! being positioned adjacent the blank receiving end of the machine, andsprocket 55 be ing positioned adjacent the discharge end of theWing-folding mechanism. Each of the two sprockets 5| are fixed to ashaft 53 journaled in suitable bearings provided in the frame members 32of the machine. Each sprocket wheel 5| is so arranged as to extendthrough one of the cutout openings 35' in the table portion 34,permitting free rotative movement thereof. Each sprocket wheel 55 at thedischarge end of the wing-folding mechanism is fixed to a suitable shaft56 journaled in suitable bearings provided on the frame members 30 ofthe machine. The blank advancing chains 38 are advanced in unison and atthe same speed by suitable driving mechanism which may comprise a gear53 fixed to the projecting end of shaft 46 which meshes with gear 54fixed to the projecting end of shaft 50. Thus the belt 49 which rotatesthe feed roller 45 may also be employed to drive the blank advancingconveyor chains 38. Each of the con veyor chains 38 may be provided withsuitably spaced blank engaging lugs 39 fixed to the links thereof, thelugs 39 on each of the chains being arranged in pairs, as shown moreparticularly in Fig. 1. The paired aligned lugs 39 are so arranged as toengage the rear edge of a blank aa, fed onto the table portion 34 by thefeed roller 45. The paired lugs 39 are so spaced as to convenientlyreceive a blank therebetween.

The blank, pushed along the table portion 34 by the lugs. 39 engagingthe rear edge thereof, move under a pair of spaced blank retaining arms60, the lower edge 63 of which is positioned to retain the blank infixed engagement with the pushing lugs 39. The receiving end of theretaining arms 60 may be flared outwardly as at El to facilitatemovement of the blanks under the blank retaining arms 50. As shown moreparticularly in Fig. 2, the retaining arms 63 may be held in suspendedposition by means of suitable brackets 34 which are fixed to each arm 60and to the adjacent frame member 32 of the machine.

As eachv blank emerges from under the retain ing arms 63, the blankmoves into contact with an infolding device 70, which operates to foldone of the wing portions of the blank inwardly, as shown moreparticularly in Fig. l. The sta tionary infolding device 18 may bearranged to fold the wing portion of box section a about its bottomcollapsing score line l5, as shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 6.The turning-in device 10 may be formed from a strip or sheet of metalfixed to the adjacent frame member 3!] twisted to provide a verticalportion 12 which rises from a horizontal portion H in a smooth curve andan inturned portion '43 which turns inwardly from vertical portion 72 ina smooth curve to a position substantially parallel to the table portion33.

It will be noted that the lower edge 63 of the adjacent blank retainingarm 60 holds the blank in constant advancing engagement against theadvancing lugs 33 so that the wing portion of box section a will rideover the top edge 14 of the wing-folding device 10 and cause it to befolded inwardly over the body portion thereof. The discharge end 64 ofthe blank retaining arm 60 terminates at the point where the curvedportion 12 of the folding device extends substantially vertically sothat the adjacent retaining arm Bl] cooperates with, but does notinterfere with, the proper operation of the turning-in device 1!]. Itwill be noted by referring more particularly to Fig. 6 that the wingportion of blank section a is substantially completely folded over thebody section of the blank by the turning-in device 10 before the wingportion of blank section a moves into engagement with the oppositeturning-in device "I5.

The turning-in device 15 is substantially similar to the turning-indevice 10 previously described, except that it is positioned to followthe turning-in device 10. The turning-in device 15 is fixed to theadjacent side frame 30 and comprises a member formed of twisted sheetmetal and having a horizontal portion 18 which merges in a smooth curveinto a vertically extending portion 11, which in turn merges in a smoothcurve into horizontal portion 16. The wing portion of the blank sectiona rides over the top edge 19 of the wing turning-in device so as to foldthe wing portion inwardly to overlie the adjacent body portion of theblank and a portion of the opposite inturned wing portion. The dischargeend 64 of the adjacent blank retaining arm 60 terminates substantiallyopposite the vertical portion ll of the wing-folding device 15 so as notto interfere with the infolding movement by the wing portion of blanksection a.

The blank emerges from the turning-in devices 10 and I5 with the wingportions of blank sections a and a folded over the body portion of theblank in superimposed relationship as the blank is continuously advancedby the conveyor chains 38. The blank then moves under and intoengagement with a driven feed roller extending transversely across thetable portion 33 adjacent the discharge end of the wing foldingmechanism 21. The feed roller 80 may be made of soft rubber or othersoft resilient material so as to engage the successive advancing blanksas they are discharged from the conveyor chains 38 and advance theblanks successively onto a conveyor operative to move the blanks intoposition to be operated upon by the adhesive-applying mechanism 23 andthe end wall section infolding mechanism 29, presently to be described.The feed roller 80 may be fixed to a suitable shaft 8i rotatably mountedin suitable bearings carried by brackets 82 supported upon the framemembers 33. The feed roller 80 may be positively driven in synchronizedrelationship to the blank advancing belts or chains 38 by means of agear 83 fixed to the shaft thereof which meshes with gear 83' fixed tothe adjacent positively driven sprocket supporting shaft 56.

Thus it will be appreciated that the mechanism 21 operates to fold thewing portions of blank sections a and a inwardly in superimposedrelationship While the blanks are successively and continuously advancedby the conveyor belts or chains 38. The blanks are maintained in uniformspaced relationship by the paired lugs 39 and the blanks are thuspositively advanced under the blank retaining arms 60 into operativeengagement with the turning-in devices l0 anad I5 and into engagementwith the feed roller which advances the successive blank onto a conveyorwhich moves the blanks into contact with adhesive-applying mechanismwhich will now be described.

Adhesive applying mechanism Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 3and 4, the adhesive applying mechanism may be supported upon a suitableblank receiving table comprising spaced parallel extending side framesand end frame 9| supported at a convenient elevation by supporting legs92. A table top 93, which may be formed of sheet metal, is fixed to theside frames 90 at an elevation preferably slightly below the table topportion 33, as shown more particularly in Fig. 3. The blanks dischargedfrom the wing folding mechanism 21 are pushed onto table top 93 by thefeed roller 00 and are advanced along the table top 93 by a pair ofspaced parallel extending conveyor belts or chains I06 which may extendgenerally at right angles to the conveyor chains 38. The blank advancingchains I06 may each be supported upon a pair of sprocket wheels I03 andI01. The two sprocket wheels I03 are fixed to a shaft I04 rota-tablymounted in suitable journals I05 in the side frames 90 adjacent feedroller 80. The discharge end of the conveyor belts or chains I06 areeach supported upon a sprocket wheel I07 which are fixed to shaft I08rotatably mounted in suitable journals I09 provided in the frame members90 of the machine. The blank advancing belts I05 are provided withpaired blank engaging lugs II! which are ar- "ranged in alignedrelationship so as to engage the rear edge of the blank and advance theblank along the table top 93.

The table top 93 is provided with depressed grooves or channels 96within which the upper fiight of the blank advancing belts or chains I05may move. The receiving end of the table top 93 terminates short of thechain supporting "sprocket wheels I03 so as not to interfere with theproper operative rotation thereof.

As shown more particularly in Fig. 1, the blank discharged upon thetable top 93 is advanced by the advancing chains I00 in a directiongenerally at right angles to its prior advancing movement along tabletop portion 33. Each blank is positively advanced by means of thealigned lugs II! which engage the rear edge of the blank and advance itinto operative relationship with the adhesive applying devices.

The blank advancing chains I06 are operated by suitable driving means insynchronism with blank advancing chains 38, which means may comprise abevel gear H0 fixed to the projecting end of shaft I0 3 which mesheswith bevel gear Iii fixed to a section of the sprocket shaft 56 whichprojects outwardly beyond the adjacent side frame member 30. Theprojecting end of sprocket shaft 50 is rotatably supported by means of asuitable bearing 98 providedin'a bracket 99 fixed to the adjacent sideframe member 90 of the machine. The end of sprocket shaft 56 is providedwith a driving sprocket II2 fixed thereto which is driven by drive chainII3 trained over driving sprocket IIG fixed to the chain supportingsprocket shaft 50 which is driven by the belting 00 through theinter-meshing gears 53 and 54 previously described.

To assure of proper alignment of the blank fed onto the table top 93 bythe feed roller 80, a suitable stop plate I20 is provided against Whichthe advancing edge of the blank is adapted to abut so as to assureproper alignment of the blank on the table top 93 when engaged by theblank engaging lugs ill of the blank advancing chains I063. The aligningplate I20 may be provided with a flange portion I2I by means of which itmay be fixedly secured to the side frame member 90 of the machine. Tofurther assure proper alignment of the blank on the table top 93, afurther aligning plate I22 may be provided to guide the opposite edge ofthe blank so that when the blank is advanced by the advancing chains I06it is properly aligned for the application of adhesive to the side edgesthereof.

Referring again to Figs. 1, 3 and 4, a pair of glue applying rollers I30are fixed to a shaft I3I rotatably mounted at each end thereof or asuitable bracket support I32 fixed to the adjacent side frame 90 of themachine. The glue applying rollers I30 are preferably positively drivenin synchronism with the blank advancing belts I00 as by means of a gearI35 fixed to the projecting end of shaft l3I which meshes with gear I56fixed to the projecting end of shaft It! rotatably mounted in the sideframe 90. Shaft I4! is provided with a sprocket wheel I l'l driven bychain I48 trained around a sprocket wheel I49 fixed to driven sprocketshaft I04.

Adhesive g is supplied to the glue-applying rollers I30 from a suitableglue pot I35 supported by brackets I30 fixed to side frames 00 of themachine. The adhesive 0 in the glue pot I35 may be maintained insuitable liquid flowing condition by means of a steam coil or by meansof a suitable gas burner I30. A pair of glue transfer rollers I37 removethe glue from the glue pot I 35 and apply it to each of the respectiveglue-applying rollers I30. each glue transfer roll I37 receives a filmof adhesive on the periphery I38 thereof which contacts the peripheraledge I34 of the adjacent glue-applying roller I30 so as to transfer thefilm of glue to the peripheral surface thereof.

The glue rollers I30 are so arranged so that each roller applies a stripof adhesive g to the inside face of the end panel sections 5b and 5b. Itis desirable that no adhesive be applied to the inturned flap sections012 and 9b and to this end each of the glue rollers I30 are providedwith a depressed portion I33 in the periphery thereof which does notreceive the film of adhesive from the glue-transfer roller I31. It willbe noted that the blanks are maintained in fixed, predetermined spacedrelationship by the paired lugs I H which lugs may be adjusted inposition along the chains I06 to accommodate the blank. Theglue-applying rollers I30 are of such diameter and so synchronized withrespect to the advancing movement of the blank so that the adhesive 9 isapplied in strip form to the full length of the end panel sections 527and 5b but no adhesive is applied to the inturned sections 9b and 9b ofthe blank. To insure positive synchronism, the shaft It will beappreciated that 5 I3I to which the glue applicator rolls I30 are fixedmay be positively driven from the chain supporting shaft I94 by means ofa train of in termeshing gears. The advancing blanks with the adhesiveapplied to the end panel sections 51) and 51) thereof then advance intooperative engagement with the end panel folding mechanism, which willnow be described.

End panel infoldz'ng mechanism Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 4and 10, as the blank shown in Fig. 9 emerges from beneath the glueapplicator rolls I30, it moves under a pair of spaced blank retainingarms I40, which are suitably supported as by brackets I43 from the sideframe of the machine. The lower edge MI of the retaining arms operatesto hold the blanks upon the tabletop 93 with the rear edge thereof inpositive engagement with the blank advancing lugs Ill. The discharge endof the retaining arms Id!) maybe suitably tapered as at M2 so as not tointerfere with the infolding of the end panel sections.

The end panel sections 52) and 5?) move into engagement with turning-indevices I50, each of which is suitably supported from the side frame itof the machine. The turning-in devices I50 fold the end panel sections5b and Eb about the adjacent score lines I9 and I9 so that end panelsections 512 of the blanks are folded over into adhesive contact withthe-adjacent end wall securing flaps I, and the end panel sections 51)are folded over into adhesive contact with the adjacent end wallsecuring flaps I.

Each of the turning-in devices 1-50 may be formed from a strip ofbendable metal which is given a curved or twisted contour as shown inFigs. 1, 4 and 10 of the drawings. The end wall sections ill) and 5b ateach side of the blank advance over the rising edge I5I of the turningindevice, meanwhile being held in fixed engagement with the blankadvancing lugs I I! by means of the retaining arms Mil. The trailingends of the retaining arms Hi0 terminate substantially opposite thevertically extending portion I52 of the adjacent turning-in device I50so as not to interfere with the proper folding of the end panel sectionsof the blank. The trailing end I54 of the turning-in devices liii!extends substantially parallel to the table top 93 so as to insurepositive inf-olding of the end panel sections 52) and 5b as the blanksare successively advanced.

To insure that the end panel sections 5b and 529 will be positivelysecured to the end wall securing flaps I and I, a suitable pressureroller IE6 is provided for positively pressing the end panel sections519 and 51), having the strip of adhesive 9 applied thereto, into firmadhesive contact with the adjacent end wall securing flaps I and I. Thepressure roller I650 may be fixed to a suitable shaft IGI journaled insuitable bearings provided in brackets Hi3 supported by the side frame95. The pressure roller IE0 is preferably formed of a soft resilientmaterial, such as soft rubber or similar composition, and may be freelyrotated by frictional contact with the advancing blank although positivepressure roller rotating means may be provided, such as sprocket I6 3fixed to roller shaft Ilil driven by drive chain I65 trained oversprocket lfiii fixed to the positively driven shaft IE8. The pressureroller Itll insures positive adhesion of the end panel sections lib and5b to the end wall securing flaps I and 'I.

The blank has thus been fully assembled to form two severably connectedcollapsed boxes, as shown in Fig. 11. The fully assembled blanks areejected from the discharge end of the machine in rapid succession into asuitable hopper where they are stacked one upon the other. The completedpaired collapsed boxes may then be packed in suitable packing cases andshipped to the user.

By employing my improved method of assembling collapsed boxes, a strong,rigid and highly serviceable box can be produced substantially entirelyby automatic machinery at production rates running as high as twentythousand paired boxes per hour. The paired collapsed boxes ejected fromthe machine are fully collapsed and a large number of paired collapsedboxes may be contained in a shipping box of limited cubicle content. Inview of the fact that the wing-folding mechanism, the glue-applyingmechanism and the side panel section infolding, mechanism are allstationary relative to the advancing movement of the blank, almost anydesired production speed can be attained by speeding up the blankadvancing belts or chains. All driven parts of the apparatus arepreferably connected together in synchronized relationship to a singlepower source so that complete synchronism of all moving parts of theapparatus is attained.

It will be appreciated that the various method steps of this inventioncan be performed by box assembly mechanism other than that particularlydisclosed in this application and operative elements other than thatspecifically disclosed can be substituted by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and teaching of my invention, as moreparticularly defined by the sub-joined claims.

Collapsible boxes of a particular size and shape are used in largequantities for packaging of numerous articles of merchandise. A singlemachine may be used to manufacture and assemble boxes of a particularsize and shape. If for production reasons it is desired to make a box ofdifferent size and shape on the same machine, the operating elements maybe easily shifted or adjusted to effect proper assemblage of thecollapsed boxes of different size and shape. Such necessary adjustments,shifting of parts or substitution of parts to assemble a particular boxwill be obvious to workmen in the art following the teachings of thisinvention.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosedherein, and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understoodthat various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. The method of making paperboard boxes from severably connected pairedblank sections wherein each section is provided with side wall panels, abottom panel hingedly connected to said side wall. panels, end wallpanels and end wall panel securing flaps hingedly connected to the endsof said side wall panels, and wherein a side wall panel of one blanksection is severably connected toan adjacent side Wall panel of anotherblank section, which method includes assembling the two blank sectionsby successive folding, gluing and folding operations performedsubstantially simultaneously upon similar parts of both'blank sectionsto provide a pair of severably connected boxes.

2. The method of making collapsible paperboard boxes from severablyconnected paired blank sections wherein each section is provided withside wall panels, a bottom panel hingedly connected to the side wallpanels, end Wall panels and end wall panel securing flaps hingedlyconnected to the ends of said side wall panels, the

bottom panel and end wall panels of said blank sections having boxcollapsing fold lines therein, and wherein a side wall panel of oneblank section is severably connected to the adjacent side wall panel ofanother blank section, which method includes assembling the two blanksections by successive folding, gluing and folding operations performedsubstantially simultaneously upon similar parts of both blank sectionsto provide a pair of severably connected collapsed boxes.

3. The method of making a pair of collapsible paperboard boxes from apair of severably connected blank sections wherein each section isprovided with side wall panels, a bottom panel hingedly connected to theside wall panels, end wall panels and end wall panel securing flapshingedly connected to the ends of said side wall panels, the bottompanel and end wall panels of each blank having a collapsing fold linetherein, and wherein the paired blank sections are severably connectedalong adjacent side wall panels thereof, which method includes the stepsof successively folding, glueing and assembling similar parts of thepaired blank sections substantially simultaneously into a pair ofseverably connected collapsible boxes.

4. The method of making collapsible boxes from severably connectedpaired paperboard blank sections wherein each section is provided with apair of side wall panels, a bottom panel hingedly connected to the sidewall panels, a pair of end wall panels and a pair of end wall panelsecuring flaps hingedly connected to and projected from the ends of saidside wall panels, the bottom panel and end wall panels of each blanksection having a box-collapsing fold line therein, wherein the pairedblank sections are severably connected along adjacent side wall panelsthereof, which method includes the steps of substantially simultaneouslyfolding a side wall panel of each blank section over the other side wallpanel of the blank section, substantially simultaneously applyingadhesive to each of said end wall panels, and substantiallysimultaneously folding each of said end wall panels into adhesivecontact with the adjacent end wall securing flap to provide a pair ofseverably connected collapsible boxes.

5. The method of making collapsible boxes from severably connectedpaired paperboard blank sections wherein each section is provided with apair of side wall panels, a bottom panel hingedly connected to said sidewall panels, a pair of end wall panels and a pair of end wall panelsecuring flaps hingedly connected to and projecting from the ends ofsaid side wall panels, the bottom panel and end wall panels of eachblank section having a box-collapsing fold line therein, and wherein thepaired blank sections are severably connected along adjacent side wallpanels thereof, which method includes the steps of substantiallysimultaneously folding the outer wing portion of each blank sectioninwardly along its bottom collapsing fold line, substantiallysimultaneously applying adhesive to each of said end wall panels, andsubstantially simultaneously folding each of said end wall panels intoadhesive contact with the adjacent end wall securing flap to provide apair of severably connected collapsed boxes.

6. The method of making collapsible boxes from connected pairedpaperboard blank sections wherein each section is provided with a pairof side wall panels, a bottom panel hingedly connected to said side wallpanels, a pair of end wall panels and a pair of end wall panel securingflaps hingedly connected to and projecting from the ends of said sidewall panels, the bottom panel and end wall panels of each blank sectionhaving a box-collapsing fold line therein, and wherein the paired blanksections are connected along adjacent side wall panels thereof, whichmethod includes the steps of substantially simultaneously folding theouter wing portion of each blank section inwardly along its bottomcollapsing fold line while the blank sections are being continuouslyadvanced, substantially simultaneously applying adhesive to each of saidend wall panels while the blanks are being continuously advanced, andsubstantially simultaneously folding each of said end wall panels intoadhesive contact with adjacent end wall securing flap while the blanksare being continuously advanced.

7. The method of making collapsible boxes from severably connectedpaired paperboard blank sections wherein each section is provided with apair of side wall panels, a bottom panel hingedly connected to said sidewall panels, a pair of end wall panels and a pair of end wall panelsecuring flaps hingedly connected to and projecting from the ends ofsaid side wall panels, the bottom panel and end wall panels of eachblank section having a box-collapsing fold line therein, and wherein thepaired blank sections are severably connected along adjacent side wallpanels thereof, which method includes the steps of folding the outerwing portion of one blank section inwardly along its bottom collapsingfold line, folding the outer wing portion of the opposite blank sectioninwardly along its bottom collapsing fold line, applying adhesivesubstantially simultaneously to each of said end wall panels, andfolding each of said end wall panels into adhesive contact with theadjacent end wall securing flap to provide a pair of severably connectedcollapsed boxes.

'8. The method of making collapsible boxes from severably connectedpaired paperboard blank sections wherein each section is provided with apair of side wall panels, a bottom panel hingedly connected to said sidewall panels, a pair of end wall panels and a pair of end wall panelsecuring flaps hingedly connected to and projecting from the ends ofsaid side wall panels, the bottom panel and end wall panels of eachblank section having a box-collapsing fold line therein, and wherein thepaired blank sections are severably connected along adjacent side wallpanels thereof, which method includes the steps of advancing thesever-ably connected blank sections continuously along a predeterminedpath, and during its advancing movement folding the outer wing portionof each blank section inwardly along its box-collapsing fold line,applying adhesive to each of said end wall panels, and folding each ofsaid end wall panels into adhesive contact with the adjacent end wallsecuring flap to provide a pair of severably connected collapsed boxes.

9. The method of making collapsible boxes from connected pairedpaperboard blank sections wherein each section is provided with a pairof side wall panels, a bottom panel hingedly connected to said side wallpanels, a pair of end wall panels and a pair of end wall panel securingflaps hingedly connected to and projecting from the ends of said sidewall panels, the bottom panel and end wall panels of each blank sectionhaving a box-collapsing fold line therein, and wherein the paired blanksections are connected along .adjacent side wall panels thereof, whichmethod includes the steps of folding the outer wing portion ,of eachblank section inwardly along its boX- collapsing fold line, applying astrip of adhesive to each of said end wall panels, folding each of saidend wall panels along its collapsing fold line over the adjacent endwall securing fiap, and pressing each of said end wall panels into firmadhesive contact with the adjacent end wall securing flap.

10. The method of making collapsible boxes from severably connectedpaired paperboard blank sections wherein each section is provided with apair of side wall panels, a bottom panel hingedly connected to said sidewall panels, a pair of end wall panels and a pair of end wal panelsecuring flaps hingedly connected to and projecting from the ends ofsaid side wall panels, the bottom panel and end wall panels of eachblank section having a box-collapsing fold line therein, and wherein thepaired blank sections are severably connected along adjacent side-wallpanels thereof, which method includes the steps of folding a side wallpanel of each blank section over the other side Wall panel of the blanksection along its box-collapsing fold line, applying a strip of adhesiveto the inside face of each of said end wall panels, folding each of saidend wall panels along its collapsing fold line over the adjacent endwall securing flap, and pressing each end wall panel into firm adhesivecontact with the underlying securing flap to provide a pair of severablyconnected collapsed boxes.

11'. The method of making collapsible boxes from severably connectedpaired paperboard blank sections wherein each section is provided with apair of side wall panels, a bottom panel hingedly connected to said sidewall panels, a pair of end wall panels and a pair of end wall panelsecuring flaps hingedly connected to and projecting from the ends ofsaid side wall panels, the bottom panel and end wall panels of eachblank section having a box-collapsing fold line therein, and wherein thepaired blank sections are severably connected along adjacent side wallpanels thereof, which method includes the steps of folding the outerwing portion of each blank section inwardly along its bottom collapsingfold line, applying adhesive to each of said end wall panels, foldingeach of said end wall panels into adhesive contact with the adjacent endwall securing flapto provide a pair of severably connected, collapsedboxes, separating said connected collapsed boxes, and erecting each ofsaid collapsed boxes into container form.

12. Apparatus for assembling paperboard boxes from paired connectedblank sections each having a pair of side wall panels, a bottom panelhingedly connected to said side wall panels, a pair of end wall panelsand a pair of end wall panel securing flaps hingedly connected to andprojecting from the ends of said side wall panels, the bottom panel andend wall panels of each blank section having a box-collapsing fold linetherein, said apparatus including spaced means between which the pairedblank sections advance for folding the outer wing portion of each blanksection inwardly along its bottom collapsing fold line, spaced meansbetween which the paired blank sections advance for applying adhesive toeach of said end wall panels, and spaced means between which the pairedblank sections advance for folding each of said end wall panels intoadhesive contact with the adjacent end wall securing flap to provide apair of connected collapsible boxes.

13. Apparatus for assembling paperboard boxes from paired connectedblank sections, each blank section having a pair of side wall panels, abottom panel hingedly connected to said side wall panels, a pair of endwall panels and a pair of end wall panel securing flaps hingedlyconnected to and projecting from the ends of said side wall panels, thebottom panel and end wall panels of each blank section having abox-collapsing fold line there-in, said apparatus including conveyormeans for continuously advancing paired blank sections in predeterminedspaced relationship, spaced means between which the paired blanksections advance for folding the outer wing portion of each blanksection inwardly along its bottom collapsing fold line during advancingmovement of said paired blank sections along said conveyor means, spacedmeans between which the paired blank sections advance for applyingadhesive to each of said end wall panels during advancing movement ofaid paired blank sections along said said conveyor means, and spacedmeans between which the paired blank sections advance for folding eachof said end wall panels into adhesive contact with the adjacent end wallsecuring flap during advancing movement of the paired blank sectionsalong said conveyor means.

14. Apparatus for assembling paperboard boxes from paired severablyconnected blank sections,

each blank section having a pair of side wall panels, a bottom panelhingedly connected to said side wall panels, a pair of end, wall panelsand a pair of end wall panel securing flaps hingedly connected to andprojecting from the ends of said side wall panels, the bottom panel andend wall panels of each blank section having a box-collapsing fold linetherein, said apparatus includ ing conveyor means for continuouslyadvancing paired blank sections in predetermined spaced relationship,spaced normally stationary means between which the paired blank sectionsadvance for folding the outer wing portion of each blank sectioninwardly along its bottom collapsing fold line during advancing movementof said paired blank sections along said conveyor means, spacedadhesive-applying means between which the paired blank sections advancerelatively station,- ary to said conveyor means operative to applyadhesive to each of said end wall panels during advancing movement ofsaid paired blank sections along said conveyor means, and spacednormally stationary means between which the paired blank sectionsadvance for folding each of said end wall panels into adhesive contactwith the adjacent end wall securing flap during advancing movement ofsaid paired blank sections along said conveyor means.

15. Apparatus for assembling paperboard boxes from paired severablyconnected blank sections, each blank section having a pair of side wallpanels, a bottom panel hingedly connected to said side wall panels, apair of end wall panels and a pair of end wall panel securing flapshingedly connected to and projecting from the ends of said side wallpanels, the bottom panel and end wall panels of each blank sectionhaving a boX-collapsing fold line therein, said apparatus including asupporting table, conveyor means supported on said table, means fordriving said conveyor means to continuously advance paired blanksections in predetermined spaced relationship along said table, a feedroller for feeding blanks successively to said conveyor means, aturning-in device positioned adjacent one side of said conveyor meansfor folding a side wall panel of one of said paired blank sections overthe other side wall panel of the blank section along its bottomcollapsing fold line, a turning-in device positioned adjacent theopposite side of said conveyor means for folding the side wall panel ofthe other blank section over the other side Wall panel thereof along itsbottom collapsing fold line, and means for retaining said paired blanksections in fixed position on said conveyor means during the side wallpanel folding operation.

16. Apparatus for assembling paperboard boxes from paired, severablyconnected blank sections, each blank section having a pair of side wallpanels, a bottom panel hingedly connected to said side wall panels, apair of end wall panels and a pair of end Wall panel securing flaps,hingedly connected to and projecting from the ends of said side wallpanels, the bottom panel and end wall panels of each blank sectionhaving a box-collapsing fold line therein, said apparatus including,spaced means between which the paired blank sections advance for foldingthe outer wing portion of each blank section inwardly along itsboxcollapsing fold line, a supporting table, conveyor means supported onsaid table, means for driving said conveyor means to continuouslyadvance the wing-folded, paired blank sections in predetermined spacedrelationship along said table, spaced glue applicators between which thefolded paired blank sections advance for applying a strip of adhesive tothe inside face of each of said end wall panels during advancingmovement of said paired blank sections along said conveyor means, spacedturning-in devices between which the paired blank sections advance forfolding each of said end wall panels into adhesive contact with theadjacent end wall securing flap during advancing movement of said pairedblank sections along said conveyor means.

1'7. Apparatus for assembling paperboard boxes from paired severablyconnected blank sections, each blank section having a pair of side wallpanels, a, bottompanel hingedly connected to said side Wall panels, apair of end wall panels and a pair of end wall panel securing flapshingedly connected to and projecting from the ends of said side wallpanels, the bottom panel and end wall panels of each blank sectionhaving a boxcollapsing fold line therein, said apparatus including asupporting table, a blank advancing conveyor supported on said tableoperative to continuously advance paired blank sections in predeterminedspaced relationship along said table, spaced means between which thepaired blank sections advance for folding the outer wing portion of eachblank section inwardly along the bottom collapsing fold line duringadvancing movement of said paired blank sections along said conveyor, asecond supporting table, a conveyor supported on said second table foradvancing the Wing folded paired blank sections in predetermined spacedrelationship along said second table, spaced glue applicators betweenwhich the wingfolded paired blank sections advance for applying a stripof adhesive to each of said end wall panels during advancing movement ofsaid paired wing folded blank sections along said second conveyor,spaced turning-in devices between which the paired blank sectionsadvance for folding each of said end wall panels into adhesive contactwith the adjacent end wall securing flap during advancing movement ofsaid paired blank sections along said second conveyor, and means fordriving said conveyors in synchronism.

HERMAN A. CARRUTH.

